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Hip Replacement Surgery

What is hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty) is surgery to replace a worn out or damaged hip joint. The surgeon replaces the old joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis). This surgery may be a choice after a hip fracture or for severe pain because of arthritis.

Various types of arthritis may affect the hip joint:

Osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults. It may cause the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the hips.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis causes inflammation of the synovial lining of the joint. It causes extra synovial fluid. It may lead to severe pain and stiffness.

Traumatic arthritis. This is arthritis is caused by an injury. It may also damage the hip cartilage.

The goal of hip replacement surgery is to replace the parts of the hip joint that have been damaged. It also helps relieve hip pain that can’t be controlled by other treatments.

A traditional hip replacement involves an incision several inches long over the hip joint. A newer approach uses 1 or 2 smaller incisions to do the surgery. This is called minimally invasive hip replacement. But the minimally invasive procedure is not suited for all people who need hip replacement. Your healthcare provider will figure out the best procedure for you.

Why might I need hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement surgery is a treatment for pain and disability in the hip. Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for hip replacement surgery.

Osteoarthritis causes loss of joint cartilage in the hip. Damage to the cartilage and bones limits movement and may cause pain. People with severe pain from degenerative joint disease may not be able to do normal activities that involve bending at the hip. These activities include walking and sitting.

Other forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis that results from a hip injury can also damage the hip joint.

Hip replacement may also be used to treat certain hip fractures. A fracture is an injury often from a fall. Pain from a fracture is severe. Walking or even moving the leg causes pain.

If other medical treatments don't control your arthritis pain, your healthcare provider may recommend a hip replacement. Some medical treatments for degenerative joint disease may include:

Anti-inflammatory medicines

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate

Pain medicines

Limiting activities that are painful

Assistive devices for walking such as a cane

Physical therapy

Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to recommend a hip replacement surgery.

What are the risks of hip replacement surgery?

Any surgery can have complications. Some possible complications may include:

Bleeding

Infection

Blood clots in the legs or lungs

Dislocation

Need for revision or additional hip surgery

Nerve injury that causes weakness, numbness, or both

You may have other risks depending on your specific health condition. Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the surgery.

How do I get ready for hip replacement surgery?

Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you and offer you the chance to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.

You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

In addition to a complete health history, your healthcare provider may do a physical exam to make sure that you are in good health before having the surgery. You may have blood tests or other diagnostic tests.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, and anesthesia (both local and general).

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking. This include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinners (anticoagulants), aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop taking these medicines before the surgery.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

You will be asked to fast for 8 hours before the surgery. This usually means after midnight.

You may get medicine (sedative) before the surgery to help you relax.

You may meet with a physical therapist before your surgery to talk about rehabilitation.

If you smoke, stop before your surgery. Smoking can delay wound healing and slow down the recovery period.

Lose weight if you need to.

Do conditioning exercises as prescribed to strengthen muscles.

Arrange for someone to help around the house for a week or two after you are discharged from the hospital.

Based on your health condition, your healthcare provider may order other specific tests or exams.

What happens during hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement usually requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices.

Hip replacement surgery is done while you are asleep under general anesthesia or sedated under spinal anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist will discuss this with you before the surgery.

Generally, hip replacement surgery follows this process:

You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.

The skin over the surgical site will be cleaned with an antiseptic solution.

The healthcare provider will make an incision in the hip area.

The healthcare provider will remove the damaged parts of the hip joint and replace them with the prosthesis. The hip prosthesis is made up of a stem that goes into the thighbone (femur), the head joint (ball) that fits into the stem, and a cup that is inserted into the socket of the hip joint. The stem and cup are made of metal. The ball may be made of metal or ceramic. The cup has a liner that may be made of plastic or ceramic. The 2 most common types of artificial hip prostheses used are cemented prostheses and uncemented prostheses. A cemented prosthesis attaches to the bone with surgical cement. An uncemented prosthesis attaches to the bone with a porous surface. The bone grows onto this surface to attach to the prosthesis. Sometimes a combination of the 2 types is used to replace a hip.

The incision will be closed with stitches or surgical staples.

A drain may be placed in the incision site to remove fluid.

A sterile bandage or dressing will be put on the site.

What happens after hip replacement surgery?

In the hospital

After the surgery you will be taken to the recovery room to be watched. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room. Hip replacement surgery usually requires you to stay in the hospital for several days.

It is important to begin moving the new joint after surgery. A physical therapist will meet with you soon after your surgery and plan an exercise rehabilitation program for you. Your pain will be controlled with medicine so that you can participate in the exercise. You will be given an exercise plan to follow both in the hospital and after discharge.

You will be discharged home or to a rehabilitation center. In either case, your healthcare provider will arrange for continuation of physical therapy until you regain muscle strength and good range of motion.

At home

Once you are home, it is important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your healthcare provider will give you specific bathing instructions. The stitches or surgical staples will be removed during a follow-up office visit.

Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your healthcare provider. Aspirin or certain other pain medicines may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medicines.

Call 911

Call 911 right away if you have any of the following:

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

When to call your doctor

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:

Hip pain gets worse

Pain or swelling in your calf or leg not related to your incision

Tenderness or redness in your calf

Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

Shaking chills

Swelling or redness at the incision site gets worse

Fluid draining from the incision

You may go back to your normal diet unless your healthcare provider tells you differently.

Don't drive until your healthcare provider tells you to. You may need to limit other activities. Full recovery from the surgery may take several months.

It is important that you don't fall after your hip replacement surgery. A fall can damage the new joint. Your therapist may recommend an assistive device such as a cane or walker to help you walk until your strength and balance improve.

Making certain changes to your home may help you during your recovery. These changes include:

Proper handrails along all stairs

Safety handrails in the shower or bath

Shower bench or chair

Raised toilet seat

Stable chair with firm seat cushion and firm back with two arms. This will let your knees to be lower than your hips.

Long-handled sponge and shower hose

Dressing stick

Sock aid

Long-handled shoe horn

Reaching stick to grab objects

Firm pillows to raise your hips above your knees when sitting

Remove loose carpets and electrical cords that may cause you to trip. Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions after the surgery, depending on you need.

Next steps

Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:

The name of the test or procedure

The reason you are having the test or procedure

What results to expect and what they mean

The risks and benefits of the test or procedure

What the possible side effects or complications are

When and where you are to have the test or procedure

Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are

What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure

Any alternative tests or procedures to think about

When and how will you get the results

Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems

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